Sweets, chips and soda will be expelled from Scottish school premises under a proposed ban aimed at curbing childhood obesity.
The Scotsman reports new legislation to be proposed within a few weeks would, for the first, time give ministers powers to ban unhealthy foods from school cafeterias and snack shops.
The proposal drew cries of "health fascism" from critics Saturday, who argue the measure will simply lead to more children heading out to corner shops to buy snacks during their lunch break.
Until now, the Scottish government has only specified that sugary drinks in vending machines would come under the new legislation, but government officials have confirmed proposals to remove all confectionery from schools as well.
Schools in Scotland have already put in place measures to improve the quality of meals, with many schools restricting the sale of chips to once every two weeks.
But recent figures showing that Scots children are now among the most obese in the world have convinced ministers that legislation is needed.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
